Lenoir Community College swept the first opponent in Saturday’s doubleheader, but the match wasn’t against the undefeated Catawba Valley CC.

After taking the first game, 3-0 (25-8, 25-6, 25-11), against Brunswick CC on Coach Bobby Dawson Court, the nine-woman squad from Hickory was much harder to overcome for LCC.

Catawba Valley improved to a flawless 34-0 record after defeating the Lancers in three, 25-13, 25-19, 25-19. LCC moved to 5-7 in the Region 10 division after splitting Saturday’s matches.

“Too many times we’re sending the ball over too easy for them and allowing them to get in the system too fast,” LCC coach Shelly Barnes said. “You can’t play good teams and give them easy balls to set up and hurt you with, and that’s what we were doing.”

CVCC jumped ahead, 7-1, early to start the game. The Lancers had trouble catching up, as CV’s hitters came out strong, all while LCC gave up precious points to attacking errors.

LCC didn’t have trouble defensively, as the team recorded 45 digs against the Buccaneers, but if CV decided to play an irregular hit or pass, it tripped up the Lancers. CV setter Madison Gouge made like she was going to set up a teammate when she instead tipped the ball to an empty spot on LCC’s side to end the first set.

The Lancers didn’t fall too far behind in the next two sets, although they couldn’t finish. They tied in the final set at five after LCC’s Payton Dunavant set up Deshona Cox for a kill.

Afterwards, hitting leader Megan Gouge, CV’s right side hitter, ended an extended volley with one of her nine kills, with an LCC error allowing the Bucs to break 10 on the next play.

But in the final set, CV committed the majority of its 18 hitting errors — attacking and serving.

“I told them just to clean it up and play their game,” Catawba coach Shannon Hudson said. “They worked really hard this year, and they play well together. They never quit, and I’m really proud of how they’re playing.”

Page 2 of 2 - CV’s Madison Gouge led all with 23 sets, while the Buccaneerstallied six blocks with outside hitter Aimee Cloninger having two.

LCC’s Cox had a block, with Essence Perry and Britney O’Hara chipping in with a block assist. Elaina Price led the Lancers with six kills and an ace, and setter Brianna Harris had 10 assists.

The Lancers trailed 19-13 in the last set, holding off CV to at least score six points before a block assist ended the game.

“We think we can play with Catawba Valley, just like we think we can play with all the teams, it’s just that our confidence still isn’t where we want it to be,” Barnes said. “We’ve got to fine tune the simple stuff.”

Facing an undefeated team was motivation to her.

“I’m a competitor,” she said. “They put on their shorts just like we do, and they play on the same size court that we do and the net’s the same height. Nothing’s changed, it’s just they executed a litter better than us right now.”

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.